University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Top Questions

I would tell parents and/or students to go with their heart and to think about their future. You have to choose a college or university that matches your personality and academic goals in order to reach your maximum potential in life. Also, be sure to take a look at their specialties and recognitions--determine what you may want to major in and then find a school that can best prepare you to enter that field after graduation (or best prepare you to enter graduate school to further pursue that field).

It is important to recognize that one's major does not make one's career. I would recommend choosing a major that correlates with one's interests and at University of Michigan, all majors have a strong emphasis on writing, critical thinking, and analytical skills.

The most important step in the college selection process is prioritization ? students and parents should decide which attributes of the college experience are the most important and rank them. These criteria must be adhered to; by doing so, both parents and students will be better informed as they begin to search for schools which fit the student?s needs and preferences. Once eligible schools have been identified, it is imperative that the student visits each. Without this crucial step, the student will have no way of learning the most essential element in deciding which school to attend; they will not know if the school feels like home ? if it feels like a place where they can grow, be challenged, develop relationships, and learn to learn. Without stepping onto a campus and getting a glimpse of what life there is like, students will not be able to make a completely informed decision about which school to attend. Finally, once the correct decision has been made, the student should take steps to make the most of their college experience ? they should be willing to step outside their comfort zone, try new things, experience new concepts, be challenged, fail, and most importantly, learn.

Some advice I would give to a parent or student about finding the right college is looking for what the college has to offer for you. You need to look at what you want to achieve out of college and what goals suite you. I would reccommend taking a tour of the campus and talking to students who attend the college to see if the college is right for you. In order to make the most of the college experience I would put yourself out there and get involved in activities around campus. It is a great way to make friends. Also buddy up with students in your classes. You can relate and get to know people better and also help you with your studying. There are many opportunities to take advantage of in college. It is a time to learn about yourself and grow up to be career seeking adults. College can be the best time of your life so make the most of it.

Tour every campus and which ever school makes you feel the most comfortable...choose that. It doesn't matter what kind of reputation it has because it will be difficult to succeed in a place that doesn't feel like home.

Visit every campus and don't be afraid to look around on your own, don't just focus your visit on the guided tour. Try and stay with someone you know who goes to the school if you can to really get a feel for campus life. Sit it on a big freshman lecture, that way when you actually have to once your a freshman they won't seem so scary. Honestly don't be afraid to go with your gut. Remember whatever college you chose will become your home. Once you get there don't be afraid to make friends or try new things. Let yourself get out of your comfort zone a little bit. Honestly just enjoy every minute you can because it really goes by too fast.

Follow your heart and go where you feel most comfortable after visiting. Once you've chosen a school, find a way to make a large school seem smaller. Join a club, or team or something. Attend as much freshman stuff as possible because everyone there is new and finding people with similar likes as you becomes simple.

It depends on the personality of the student and what their goals are but for the most part I would advise going to a bigger school if you're either undecided about what you want to do or if you come from a small town. It will not only open your eyes to new people but also experiences and also offer a wide range of classes to allow you to change your mind about majors if you need to or want to. Its good to make sure you test your limits a little when it comes to college and try to expand your horizons to reach your full potential. Its also a very good idea to stay in state if your state offers a school with the academic caliber you're looking for. The level of convenience staying in state offers is really irreplacable if it's at all a good option for you. Most of all, follow your gut, maintain your priorities, dont forget your roots, and have fun. Look for the situation and college you can picture yourself reaching your full potential as a person in and make the best of it when you're there.

Make sure to visit the school. College visits really serve as an eye-opener to what the campus life will be like because websites and brochures can only tell you so much. I only visited two schools, and I wish I had time to visit more. When you visit the college, take some time to walk around the campus, tour the dorms and the libraries, and interact with current students. Finding out about the academics of the school is very important, but you should be able to see yourself as a future student there. A lot of schools have campus weekends where a prospective student is paired with a current student to spend a night on campus. I strongly recommend this because it is like going through a trial period for a valuable item you are about to purchase. I think the experience is a lot more effective than simply taking a campus tour for an hour with your parents.

Visit each college and spend time there to make sure it is right for you. Parents, I know it's hard, but you have let go and lgive the child a change to visit the college withouy you. This is a big decision that should be made by you and you. Don't just go to a college because your friends are going or you like the colors, go because it is the perfect college for you.